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    Home » Recipes » Grilling » Chiles Toreados (Mexican Blistered Peppers) + VIDEO

    Chiles Toreados (Mexican Blistered Peppers) + VIDEO

    Last Updated May 15, 2023. Originally Posted May 28, 2021 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Chiles Toreados are Mexican blistered chile peppers. This seasoned condiment brings spice and tons of flavor to tacos and grilled meats.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chiles Toreados piled high on a silver platter.

    Chiles Toreados piled high on a silver platter.

    Chiles Toreados are either grilled or cooked in a hot pan so the skin on the spicy peppers blister.

    They are then seasoned and left to be enjoyed with tacos or grilled meats (carne asada). This condiment elevates the heat and flavor of just about any dish.

    You’ll find this side dish at Mexican taco stands and Mexican restaurants everywhere. Look for this condiment next to taqueria-style serrano salsa, radishes, and limes.

    Serrano Peppers on a white plate.

    Typically, toreados are made with serrano peppers. Some people, however, will substitute with jalapeño peppers or Chiles Güeros.

    You might also see them referred to as:

    • jalapeno toreado
    • jalapeno toreados
    • Chile toreado
    • Toreados
    • Chili toreado

    Serrano Peppers and sliced onions on a white surface.

    How to Make Them

    • Remove the stems from the serrano chiles.
    • Slice up the onions.

    Some people will slice the chiles in half and cook them that way. OR, leave them whole.

    Pro Tip:

    You can even cook with the toreados. They make a spicy addition to any guisado (or stew). Chop them up and add them to Mexican Picadillo or Carne con Papas for an extra kick and extra flavor.

    Whole serrano peppers cooking in a skillet.

    • In a frying pan, heat up the vegetable oil to medium-high heat. Use a cast iron skillet if you have one.
    • Add the chiles.

    You want the skins of the chiles to blister.

    If you are not used to cooking with chiles, you might want to OPEN UP the windows before starting. The smell of the peppers cooking can be hard for some to tolerate.

    Skin Blistering on serrano peppers while they cook in a skillet.

    • Once the skin on the chiles are starting to turn black, add the sliced white onions.
    • Reduce to medium heat. Stir constantly.

    Don’t go anywhere far. This will go very FAST.

    After about 1 minute and the onion is cooked, turn the heat off.

    Remember that each chile is different, and some are hotter than others.

    A hand holding half a lemon with a skillet in the background.

    • With the heat off, add lemon juice to the frying pan.
    • Stir.

    The lemon will add a bit of a tang. Very few ingredients are needed in this recipe, but they make all the difference.

    How to Adjust the Heat: 

    Grab a fork and knife. Remove the seeds and the veins from the inside of the chiles. Don’t do this with your hands.

    If you like it spicy, but not too spicy… I recommend slicing the peppers in half and cooking them that way. When they are ready, it’s easier to remove the seeds and reduce the heat. once they reach room temperature, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate them.

    A hand holding a Jugo Maggi bottle with a skillet in the background.

    From here, it’s all about the Jugo Maggi.

    Not very well known north of the border, but it’s a popular ingredient in many Mexican recipes like Alambre de Res and Bistec Encebollado.

    Maggi sauce is essential in this recipe. It gives a lot of great flavor to the chiles and dishes prepared with it.

    If you can’t find it, simply omit it. Or…

    What Can I Substitute for Jugo Maggi?

    Dark Soy Sauce and Worcestershire Sauce are the closest substitutions. You can also use Thai sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, or mushroom soy sauce.

    A hand holding a bottle of soy sauce next to a skillet with chile peppers cooking.

    Believe it or not, there is a small but noteworthy Asian population in Mexico. They introduced soy sauce to our Mexican recipes.

    In Tijuana, the area of “La Mesa Barrio Chino ” is very well-known for its large Asian residents and community. It is a Chinese enclave and home to ethnic Chinese immigrants.

    Chiles Toreados with onions in a skillet.

    At Mexican taquerías, they will either serve the toreados with your tacos, or they will leave them for you next to the salsas. Sometimes you might need to ask for them.

    Chile Toreados add a delicious kick to Mexican dishes and are super quick to make. Look for them when you’re out celebrating Taco Tuesday or include them in your next taco party. Buen provecho.

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
    Chiles Toreados piled high on a silver platter.

    Chiles Toreados

    Chiles Toreados are Mexican blistered chile peppers. This seasoned condiment brings spice and tons of flavor to tacos and grilled meats.
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 9 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 53kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons oil
    • 6 serrano peppers
    • ½ onion sliced
    • Juice of 1 lemon
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons Jugo Maggi optional (but preferred)

    Instructions

    • Remove the stems from the peppers.
    • Slice onion.
    • Set everything aside.
    • In a large skillet, heat the oil.
    • Add the peppers.
    • Stir constantly until the skin on the peppers start to blister.
    • Add the onion.
    • Stir for 1 minute.
    • Turn heat off.
    • Then add lemon, soy sauce, and Jugo Maggi.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    You can use serrano peppers or jalapeños or chiles gueros.
    If you like it spicy, but not too spicy… I recommend slicing the peppers in half and cooking them that way. When they are ready, it’s easier to REMOVE the seeds and REDUCE the heat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Grilling, Mexican, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summer, Vegetarian

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Catherine @ To & Fro Fam

      June 11, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      The char really does bring out such a yummy flavor in the chiles!

      Reply
    2. Heather

      June 11, 2019 at 3:34 pm

      I haven’t tried anything like this before. I’m not a huge spicy food fan.

      Reply
    3. Heather @ US Japan Fam

      June 12, 2019 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      WOW! Had no idea cooking chiles could be a choking hazard! Not sure I’m up for cooking or eating them haha, I’ve got a very sensitive palette!

      Reply
      • Melissa

        June 1, 2021 at 6:51 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you. This would be a nice spicy addition to tacos. They look easy to make too.

        Reply
        • Maggie Unzueta

          March 31, 2023 at 2:01 pm

          Glad you liked this recipe. Adding these Chiles to tacos is such a great and flavorful idea.

    4. Rachel

      June 12, 2019 at 6:35 pm

      Umm my husband would love me forever if I made these for him.

      Reply
    5. Krizzia Scollon

      June 13, 2019 at 3:18 am

      This recipe looks really good and I’m literally drooling right now cause I love spicy food! Definitely a must try 🙂

      Reply
    6. Sheri

      August 28, 2019 at 5:43 pm

      I’m going to a party right after work. Can I make these the night before and refrigerate them, then bring them to room temp before serving? I’ve got a bumper crop of serrano peppers I’d like to use up!

      Reply
    7. Bri

      June 1, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love anything spicy! These sound so good. I need to give this recipe a try.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 31, 2023 at 2:03 pm

        This recipe is super spicy and full of flavor. You won’t regret it.

        Reply
    8. Agnieszka | Wholly Tasteful

      June 1, 2021 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      This is such easy and awesome way to eat spicy peppers! A definite must for hot peppers’ fans!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 31, 2023 at 1:55 pm

        For sure! These Chiles Toreados are a must for spicy food lovers. So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    9. Freya

      June 2, 2021 at 12:25 am

      5 stars
      I did these on the grill outdoors and the smell was amazing! They were so popular, although I deseeded them as my chillis were a little hot!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 31, 2023 at 1:50 pm

        That sounds amazing! Grilling the Chiles is definitely a great way to enjoy the wonderful aroma and flavors. Happy to hear that they were a hit and that everyone enjoyed them.

        Reply
    10. Elizabeth

      June 2, 2021 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great method for adding flavor to so many dishes! We loved it! Will definitely be doing that all the time. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 31, 2023 at 1:45 pm

        Thanks for trying this Chiles Toreados recipe. Hope you make this recipe again soon.

        Reply
    11. Anna

      June 4, 2021 at 3:10 am

      5 stars
      These were a hit at our BBQ last weekend! Such a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 31, 2023 at 1:35 pm

        It’s always great to hear that people have given my recipes a try. So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    12. Sue

      June 4, 2021 at 3:48 am

      5 stars
      I have a couple family members who will go crazy for these!!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        April 1, 2023 at 8:53 am

        You gotta try it. So spicy and yummy!

        Reply
    13. Will

      June 4, 2021 at 5:23 am

      5 stars
      Great flavor!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        April 1, 2023 at 8:39 am

        Yes! Thank you.

        Reply
    14. Kay

      June 4, 2021 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      I love how spicy these are especially when I keep those seeds in.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 31, 2023 at 1:28 pm

        How brave! Keeping the seeds in is definitely one way to increase the heat level. Enjoy!

        Reply
    15. AISilva

      June 4, 2021 at 5:53 am

      5 stars
      Oh nice, we love spicy food in our house. Well.. at least the adults do. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. We’ll make this soon!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 31, 2023 at 1:23 pm

        Yes! Love it when people try my recipes. Hope everyone likes it.

        Reply
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